{"id":8459,"date":"2020-09-12T08:42:41","date_gmt":"2020-09-12T12:42:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/?p=8459"},"modified":"2020-09-12T08:50:44","modified_gmt":"2020-09-12T12:50:44","slug":"the-best-ways-to-look-for-work-at-a-virtual-career-fair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/?p=8459","title":{"rendered":"The Best Ways To Look For Work At A Virtual Career Fair"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"<\/a>Before the pandemic, people looking for work often went to mammoth job and career fairs in nearby convention centers. These days, like just about everything else, job fairs have gone virtual. Given today\u2019s high unemployment rate and painful COVID-19 layoffs, they\u2019re valuable for laid-off job seekers.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Attending a virtual job fair is a relatively easy way to connect with recruiters, hiring managers and career experts. They\u2019re being offered by an increasing number of job-board websites like\u00a0Flexjobs.com<\/a>, industry groups and membership associations from\u00a0AARP\u00a0<\/a>to the\u00a0North American Veterinary Community\u00a0<\/a>(NAVC). Some companies also host their own\u00a0virtual job fairs<\/a>. You can search \u201cvirtual job fairs\u201d on\u00a0LinkedIn\u00a0<\/a>for a list of upcoming events featured on the site.<\/p>\n

Read on Next Avenue<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Truth About Virtual Job Fairs<\/h3>\n

But landing a job at a virtual job fair is a long shot. Employers typically are using the fairs to gather r\u00e9sum\u00e9s that might lead to future phone, and perhaps in-person, interviews.<\/p>\n

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Most virtual fair operators have tech assistants on hand to help if you\u2019re having trouble.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Another caveat: Virtual job fairs are a mixed bag in terms of navigation and content. Some are sleek events offering on-the-spot Zoom interviews and lively discussions. Others are just repositories of perfunctory information about employers plus referrals to website job boards. Sadly, you won\u2019t have those casual, face-to-face, break-the-ice conversations with recruiters and other job seekers you can get at \u00a0in-person job fairs.<\/p>\n

\"Susan\n
Susan Weinstock, AARP<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

AARP is the giant of virtual job fairs for job seekers over 50; it\u2019s been hosting them since 2014. (Full disclosure: I\u2019ve served as an expert for AARP in its live chat rooms). AARP\u2019s next Virtual Career Fair, scheduled for September, will feature employers that have signed its Employer Pledge, saying they value experienced workers. Attendees can also meet up in networking chat rooms.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople need support right now and when you lose a job for the first time in your fifties or sixties, you\u2019re unemployed, and your world is turned upside down. So, having the support of others is really important,\u201d said\u00a0Susan Weinstock, AARP vice president of financial resilience programming.<\/p>\n

For advice on how job hunters can get the most out of virtual job fairs, I interviewed several insiders. And I\u2019ve thrown in my own tips.<\/p>\n

Virtual Job Fair Logistics<\/h3>\n

First, the logistics: Registration is typically free. You\u2019ll probably be prompted to fill out a profile and upload a photo and a basic r\u00e9sum\u00e9.<\/p>\n

When you receive your confirmation, you\u2019ll get a link to check your computer to make sure you\u2019re set to get into the fair when the digital doors open.<\/p>\n

If you can\u2019t make the live date, by registering, you\u2019ll generally have 30 days to visit the site, view the jobs listed by employers and watch webinars.<\/p>\n

Virtual Job Fair Technology<\/h3>\n

Now, about the technology: After registering, you\u2019ll likely receive a confirmation email with instructions to see if your computer meets the system requirements. Test the technology prior to the event, said Manolita Moore, vice-president of exhibit sales and operations at NAVC.<\/p>\n

Generally speaking, a Mac or PC desktop, laptop, smartphone or a tablet is fine. And if you hit a tech glitch, don\u2019t panic. Most virtual fair operators have tech assistants on hand to help if you\u2019re having trouble.<\/p>\n

While some virtual career fairs have video chat built into their platform, many rely on text. So, to avoid typos or misspellings, type slowly and read your question or answer over carefully before hitting send. Avoid emoticons.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake sure you\u2019re set up in a place where you\u2019re relaxed and it\u2019s free of distractions, so you can focus,\u201d Moore said. Use headphones for the sharpest audio and to prevent any feedback or echoes. Small wired or Bluetooth ear buds work great.<\/p>\n

Check your camera view when you sign on to make sure your face is well lit from the front. Pro tip: I use two desk lamps, but you might consider adding a ring light.<\/p>\n

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As a reminder about where to look, place a sticker next to your camera at the top and center of your screen.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cMaintain eye contact and practice active listening,\u201d said Christine Cruzvergara, vice president of higher education and student success at Handshake, a digital job-search platform whose products let over 500,000 employers host virtual recruiting and events.\u201c<\/strong>For many of us, staring in a camera doesn\u2019t feel natural \u2014 because it isn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a reminder about where to look, place a sticker next to your camera at the top and center of your screen. Skip the playful Zoom background of a beach or the Golden Gate Bridge. It\u2019s distracting. Plus, your actual office background can provide positive subliminal information about you and your personality that can work in your favor and help you stand out as a candidate.<\/p>\n

Making a Great Impression at a Virtual Job Fair<\/h3>\n
\"Manolita\u00a0\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Manolita Moore, NAVC<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

And now, how to put your best self forward:<\/p>\n

\u201cPreparation is key,\u201d said Moore. \u201cDo a dry run. Log in ahead of time and check out the kind of jobs and the roster of companies participating.\u201d<\/p>\n

When you know which employers will be represented, go to their websites and social media pages and do online searches to find out any recent news about them. This will help you ask smarter questions and show your diligence.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just about knowing about the position you\u2019re applying for and the company you\u2019re interested in, but having ideas on the larger industry you\u2019re entering,\u201d said Cruzvergara.<\/p>\n

She said you should be able to speak credibly about emerging trends or pressing issues facing that industry \u2014 using industry jargon, if you can \u2014 and ask thoughtful questions about how the company will contribute to that conversation.<\/p>\n

Create several versions of your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 to match jobs you might want to apply for or to\u00a0highlight keywords<\/a>\u00a0and phrases used in job posts.<\/p>\n

Also, \u201creview your LinkedIn profile before the event and update it if need be,\u201d Weinstock said. \u201cEmployers are going to use LinkedIn to look at you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Helpful Advance Preparation<\/h3>\n

One way to get psyched for the meet-and-greet virtual event is to pull out your old performance reviews.<\/p>\n

Said Weinstock: \u201cThese will remind you of accomplishments you\u2019ve probably forgotten. Make a bulleted list of them and put that in front of you. It can calm your nerves because you\u2019re not thinking on the fly when a recruiter or hiring manager asks about your past challenges and how you solved them.\u201d<\/p>\n

A clever idea: post sticky notes on your desktop to prompt you of three key selling points about yourself. If a chat conversation gets rolling with a recruiter or employer representative, these will help you stay focused.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe ready with your\u00a0elevator pitch,\u201d Weinstock said. \u201cThink of a one-minute \u2018This is me and this is what I do.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

And stress the soft skills that you bring, she added \u201cOlder workers have these wonderful soft skills. They are problem-solvers. They are calm under pressure. They are empathetic. They have a great ability to listen and make decisions. You can\u2019t train for that. Emphasize those skills.\u201d<\/p>\n

Look the Part<\/h3>\n
\"Christine\u00a0\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Christine Cruzvergara, Handshake<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

Recruiters might ask if you can launch into a video interview, usually Zoom or Skype, on the spot. So, you\u2019ll want to be dressed as you would be if you were meeting in someone\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t just dress the part, also bring the same energy and enthusiasm to the virtual interview that you would to an in-person interaction, \u201csaid Cruzvergara.<\/p>\n

And, she added, \u201cremember to smile and nod occasionally, as you would during an in-person conversation. And limit any distractions around you so you\u2019re not tempted to look away from your computer screen.\u201d<\/p>\n

After the virtual job fair, send \u201cThank You\u201d emails to recruiters and hiring managers you talked to, along with your resum\u00e9. Mention something from your conversation as a prompt or reminder of who you are.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

One last thing about virtual job fairs: \u201cBe open to new opportunities when you look at the job openings,\u201d Weinstock said. \u201cGiven the economy we\u2019re living in now, you need to think of the skill set that you have and see how that can be applied outside your normal field. Think creatively to how you can apply your skills in a new way.<\/p>\n

By Kerry Hannon, Entrepreneurship and Personal Finance Expert<\/span><\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n

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Photo by Elizabeth Dranitzke, Photopia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
Kerry Hannon is the author of\u00a0Great Pajama Jobs<\/em>:\u00a0Your Complete Guide to Working From Home<\/em><\/a>. She has covered personal finance, retirement and careers for The New York Times, Forbes, Money, U.S. News & World Report and USA Today, among others. She is the author of more than a dozen books including\u00a0Never Too Old to Get Rich: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Starting a Business Mid-Life<\/em><\/a>,\u00a0Money Confidence: Really Smart Financial Moves for Newly Single Women<\/em><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0What’s Next? Finding Your Passion and Your Dream Job in Your Forties, Fifties and Beyond<\/em><\/a>. Her website is\u00a0kerryhannon.com<\/a>. Follow her on Twitter\u00a0@kerryhannon<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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